First Observation of the Direct Production of the χ_{c1} in e^{+}e^{-} Annihilation

We study the direct production of the J^{PC}=1^{++} charmonium state χ_{c1}(1P) in electron-positron annihilation by carrying out an energy scan around the mass of the χ_{c1}(1P). The data were collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. An interference pattern between the signal process e^{+}e^{-}→χ_{c1}(1P)→γJ/ψ→γμ^{+}μ^{-} and the background processes e^{+}e^{-}→γ_{ISR}J/ψ→γ_{ISR}μ^{+}μ^{-} and e^{+}e^{-}→γ_{ISR}μ^{+}μ^{-} is observed by combining all the data samples. The χ_{c1}(1P) signal is observed with a significance of 5.1σ. This is the first observation of a C-even state directly produced in e^{+}e^{-} annihilation. The electronic width of the χ_{c1}(1P) resonance is determined to be Γ_{ee}=(0.12_{-0.08}^{+0.13})  eV, which is of the same order of magnitude as theoretical calculations.

Evidence for a Neutral Near-Threshold Structure in the K_{S}^{0} Recoil-Mass Spectra in e^{+}e^{-}→K_{S}^{0}D_{s}^{+}D^{*-} and e^{+}e^{-}→K_{S}^{0}D_{s}^{*+}D^{-}

We study the processes e^{+}e^{-}→K_{S}^{0}D_{s}^{+}D^{*-} and e^{+}e^{-}→K_{S}^{0}D_{s}^{*+}D^{-}, as well as their charge conjugated processes, at five center-of-mass energies between 4.628 and 4.699 GeV, using data samples corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.8  fb^{-1} collected by the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage ring. Based on a partial reconstruction technique, we find evidence of a structure near the thresholds for D_{s}^{+}D^{*-} and D_{s}^{*+}D^{-} production in the K_{S}^{0} recoil-mass spectrum, which we refer to as the Z_{cs}(3985)^{0}. Fitting with a Breit-Wigner line shape, we find the mass of the structure to be (3992.2±1.7±1.6)  MeV/c^{2} and the width to be (7.7_{-3.8}^{+4.1}±4.3)  MeV, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic. The significance of the Z_{cs}(3985)^{0} signal is found to be 4.6σ including both the statistical and systematic uncertainty. We report the Born cross section multiplied by the branching fraction at different energy points. The mass of the Z_{cs}(3985)^{0} is close to that of the Z_{cs}(3985)^{+}. Assuming SU(3) symmetry, the cross section of the neutral channel is consistent with that of the charged one. Hence, we conclude that the Z_{cs}(3985)^{0} is the isospin partner of the Z_{cs}(3985)^{+}.

[Phenotypes and genotypes of 78 patients with propionic acidemia]

Objective: Propionic acidemia is a rare inherited metabolic disorder caused by propionyl CoA carboxylase (PCC) deficiency. This study aims to analyze the clinical characteristics and gene variations of Chinese patients with propionic acidemia, and to explore the correlation between clinical phenotypes and genotypes. Methods: Single-center, retrospective and observational study. Seventy-eight patients of propionic acidemia (46 males and 32 females) from 20 provinces and autonomous regions were admitted from January 2007 to April 2022. Their age of initial diagnosis ranged from 7 days to 15 years. The clinical manifestations, biochemical and metabolic abnormalities, genetic variations, diagnosis, treatment and outcome were studied. Chi-Square test or Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Among 78 cases, 6 (7.7%) were identified by newborn screening; 72 (92.3%) were clinically diagnosed after onset, and the age of onset was 2 hours after birth to 15 years old; 32 cases had early-onset disease and 40 cases had late-onset disease. The initial manifestations included lethargy, hypotonia, vomiting, feeding difficulties, developmental delay, epilepsy, and coma. Among the 74 cases who accepted gene analysis, 35 (47.3%) had PCCA variants and 39 (52.7%) had PCCB variants. A total of 39 PCCA variants and 32 PCCB variants were detected, among which c.2002G>A and c.229C>T in PCCA and c.838dupC and c.1087T>C in PCCB were the most common variants in this cohort. The variants c.1228C>T and c.1283C>T in PCCB may be related to early-onset type. The variants c.838dupC, c.1127G>T and c.1316A>G in PCCB, and c.2002G>A in PCCA may be related to late-onset disease. Six patients detected by newborn screening and treated at asymptomatic stage developed normal. The clinically diagnosed 72 cases had varied complications. 10 (12.8%) cases of them died. 62 patients improved after metabolic therapy by L-carnitine and diet. Six patients received liver transplantation because of recurrent metabolic crisis. Their clinical symptoms were markedly improved. Conclusion: The clinical manifestations of propionic acidemia are complex and lack of specificity. Newborn screening and high-risk screening are keys for early treatment and better outcome. The correlation between the genotype and phenotype of propionic acidemia is unclear, but certain variants may be associated with early-onset or late-onset propionic acidemia.

Observation of Resonance Structures in e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}ψ_{2}(3823) and Mass Measurement of ψ_{2}(3823)

Using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 11.3  fb^{-1} collected at center-of-mass energies from 4.23 to 4.70 GeV with the BESIII detector, we measure the product of the e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}ψ_{2}(3823) cross section and the branching fraction B[ψ_{2}(3823)→γχ_{c1}]. For the first time, resonance structure is observed in the cross section line shape of e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}ψ_{2}(3823) with significances exceeding 5σ. A fit to data with two coherent Breit-Wigner resonances modeling the sqrt[s]-dependent cross section yields M(R_{1})=4406.9±17.2±4.5  MeV/c^{2}, Γ(R_{1})=128.1±37.2±2.3  MeV, and M(R_{2})=4647.9±8.6±0.8  MeV/c^{2}, Γ(R_{2})=33.1±18.6±4.1  MeV. Though weakly disfavored by the data, a single resonance with M(R)=4417.5±26.2±3.5  MeV/c^{2}, Γ(R)=245±48±13  MeV is also possible to interpret data. This observation deepens our understanding of the nature of the vector charmoniumlike states. The mass of the ψ_{2}(3823) state is measured as (3823.12±0.43±0.13)  MeV/c^{2}, which is the most precise measurement to date.

[Expression of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in serum of patients with periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis and its correlation with these diseases]

Objective: To detect and analyze the expression level of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], periodontal clinical indicators and immunological indicators of rheumatism in patients with periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to explore the correlation between 25(OH)D and the two diseases. Methods: This study was a case-control study. According to the inclusion criteria, patients from the Department of Stomatology and the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology and healthy volunteers from the Physical Examination Center were selected from November 2018 to May 2019 in Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University respectively. The patients were divided into 4 groups: 26 patients with simple periodontitis were included in the periodontitis group; 23 patients with RA were included in the RA group; 22 patients with RA and periodontitis simultaneously were included in the RA with periodontitis group; 22 healthy volunteers were included in the healthy control group, adding up to a total of 93 cases. The general information and periodontal clinical indexes of subjects in these 4 groups were recorded. Median elbow venous blood samples were collected from fasting subjects in each group, and 25(OH)D and immunoglobulin (Ig) were measured. The disease activity scores of RA patients were recorded and the rheumatic immune indexes were determinated. Pearson correlation analysis was performed between 25 (OH) D level and periodontal indexes in subjects of 4 groups. Results: The expression levels of rheumatoid factor [106.5(47.1, 283.8) kU/L] and C-reactive protein [20.5(13.1, 32.3) mg/L] in RA with periodontitis group were significantly higher than those in RA group [60.1(19.0, 110.0) kU/L, 14.7(3.0, 18.0) mg/L] (Z=-2.29, P=0.022; Z=-2.25, P=0.024). The levels of IgG and IgA in RA with periodontitis group [IgG and IgA: (16.0±4.3), (3.2± 1.3) g/L] as well as RA group [IgG and IgA: (16.3±5.5), (3.7±1.8) g/L] were significantly higher than those in healthy control group [IgG and IgA: (12.0±1.8), (2.3±0.6) g/L] and periodontitis group [IgG and IgA: (12.5±2.2), (2.0±0.7) g/L](P<0.05). The level of 25(OH)D in RA with periodontitis group [(26.0±9.8) nmol/L] was significantly lower than that in periodontitis group [(35.6±8.4) nmol/L] and RA group [(32.7±8.6) nmol/L] (P<0.05). The level of 25(OH)D was negatively correlated with sulcus bleeding index (r=-0.43, P=0.032) and clinical attachment loss (r=-0.41, P=0.043). Conclusions: Expression level of 25(OH)D was significantly decreased in patients with periodontitis and RA. There was a certain correlation between 25(OH)D and periodontitis and RA.

Observation of a State X(2600) in the π^{+}π^{-}η' System in the Process J/ψ→γπ^{+}π^{-}η'

Based on (10087±44)×10^{6}  J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector, the process J/ψ→γπ^{+}π^{-}η^{'} is studied using two largest decay channels of the η^{'} meson, η^{'}→γπ^{+}π^{-} and η^{'}→ηπ^{+}π^{-}, η→γγ. A new resonance, which we denote as the X(2600), is observed with a statistical significance larger than 20σ in the π^{+}π^{-}η^{'} invariant mass spectrum, and it has a connection to a structure around 1.5  GeV/c^{2} in the π^{+}π^{-} invariant mass spectrum. A simultaneous fit on the π^{+}π^{-}η^{'} and π^{+}π^{-} invariant mass spectra with the two η^{'} decay modes indicates that the mass and width of the X(2600) state are 2618.3±2.0_{-1.4}^{+16.3}  MeV/c^{2} and 195±5_{-17}^{+26}  MeV, where the first uncertainties are statistical, and the second systematic.

Observation of J/ψ Electromagnetic Dalitz Decays to X(1835), X(2120), and X(2370)

Using a sample of about 10^{10}  J/ψ events collected at a center-of-mass energy sqrt[s]=3.097  GeV with the BESIII detector, the electromagnetic Dalitz decays J/ψ→e^{+}e^{-}π^{+}π^{-}η^{'}, with η^{'}→γπ^{+}π^{-} and η^{'}→π^{+}π^{-}η, have been studied. The decay J/ψ→e^{+}e^{-}X(1835) is observed with a significance of 15σ, and also an e^{+}e^{-} invariant-mass dependent transition form factor of J/ψ→e^{+}e^{-}X(1835) is presented for the first time. The intermediate states X(2120) and X(2370) are also observed in the π^{+}π^{-}η^{'} invariant-mass spectrum with significances of 5.3σ and 7.3σ. The corresponding product branching fractions for J/ψ→e^{+}e^{-}X, X→π^{+}π^{-}η^{'} [X=X(1835), X(2120), and X(2370)] are reported.

[Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 particapates in ozone-induced lung inflammation and airway remodeling in mice]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the roles of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in ozone-induced pulmonary inflammation and airway remodeling in mice.

METHODS

Sixteen wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J mice and 16 ACE2 knock-out (KO) mice were exposed to either filtered air or ozone (0.8 ppm) for 3 h per day for 5 consecutive days. Masson's staining and HE staining were used to observe lung pathologies. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected and the total cell count was determined. The total proteins and cytokines in BALF were determined by BCA and ELISA method. The transcription levels of airway remodeling-related indicators in the lung tissues were detected using real-time quantitative PCR. The airway resistance of the mice was measured using a small animal ventilator with methacholine stimulation.

RESULTS

Following ozoneexposure ACE2 KO mice had significantly higher lung pathological scores than WT mice (P < 0.05). Masson staining results showed that compared with ozone-exposed WT mice, ozone-exposed ACE2 KO mice presented with significantly larger area of collagen deposition in the bronchi [(19.62±3.16)% vs (6.49±1.34)%, P < 0.05] and alveoli [(21.63±3.78)% vs (4.44±0.99)%, P < 0.05]. The total cell count and total protein contents in the BALF were both higher in ozone-exposed ACE2 KO mice than in WT mice, but these differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The concentrations of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, CXCL1/KC and MCP-1 in the BALF were all higher in ozone-exposed ACE2 KO mice than in ozone-exposed WT mice, but only the difference in IL-1β was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The transcription levels of MMP-9, MMP-13, TIMP 4, COL1A1, and TGF-β in the lung tissues were all significantly higher in ozone-exposed ACE2 KO mice (P < 0.01). No significant difference was found in airway resistance between ozone-exposed ACE KO mice and WT mice after challenge with 0, 10, 25, or 100 mg/mL of methacholine.

CONCLUSION

ACE2 participates in ozone-induced lung inflammation and airway remodeling in mice.

Biomolecule-guided co-localization of intermolecular G-rich strands for the construction of a tetramolecular G-quadruplex sensing strategy

We herein introduce the principle of proximity assay into tetramolecular G-quadruplexes guided by various biomolecules for the construction of a sensing strategy. Our strategy is based on the co-localization of intermolecular G-rich strands guided by a recognition event of a specific biomolecule to its corresponding affinity ligand. In such case, the local concentration among intermolecular strands is significantly increased to trigger the following self-assembly that served as the peroxidase-mimicking activity. This strategy is versatile, homogenous and adaptable to different types of biomolecules.

[Clinical characteristics and CBS gene analysis of 13 cases with classic homocystinuria]

Objective: To analyze the clinical features and CBS gene variants of 13 patients with classic homocystinuria, and the strategies of individual treatment and prevention were explored. Methods: The general information, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, cranial images, CBS gene variants, diagnosis and therapeutic strategies of 13 patients with classic homocystinuria admitted to the Department of Pediatrics of Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University and Peking University First Hospital from November 2013 to June 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: There were 13 patients diagnosed at the age of 10 days to 14 years, 6 were male and 7 were female. There were 3 patients detected by newborn screening and received treatment at the asymptomatic stage. There were 10 patients clinically diagnosed at the age of 5 to 14 years. Their symptoms appeared at age of 1 to 6 years. The major clinical manifestations were marfanoid features, lens dislocation and (or) myopia, developmental delay, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular diseases. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed asymmetric infarcts in 4 patients and hypomyelination in 1 case. Increased blood methionine, plasma total homocysteine and urinary total homocysteine with normal urinary methylmalonic acid were found in 13 patients. The biochemical features were consistent with classic homocystinuria. Totally 18 variants were identified in CBS gene of 13 patients, 10 variants were novel and 8 were reported. only 1 patient was partially responsive to vitamin B₆ treatment, while 12 cases were non-responsive. They were mainly treated with low methionine diet and betaine supplement. Three vitamin B₆ non-responsive cases received liver transplantation at age of 3, 8 and 8 years, respectively. Their blood methionine and total homocysteine returned to normal within a week after liver transplantation. One patient died. Prenatal diagnosis was performed for a fetus when the mother was pregnant again. Two pathogenic CBS gene variants were identified from the amniocytes as same as the proband. Conclusions: The clinical manifestations of classic homocystinuria are complex and variable. Blood amino acid analysis, serum or urine total homocysteine assay and gene analysis are critical for its diagnosis. There were 10 novel CBS gene varients were identified expanding the CBS gene varient spectrum. Liver transplantation is an effective treatment. Prenatal diagnosis is important to prevent classic homocysteinuria.

Probing CP symmetry and weak phases with entangled double-strange baryons

Though immensely successful, the standard model of particle physics does not offer any explanation as to why our Universe contains so much more matter than antimatter. A key to a dynamically generated matter-antimatter asymmetry is the existence of processes that violate the combined charge conjugation and parity (CP) symmetry1. As such, precision tests of CP symmetry may be used to search for physics beyond the standard model. However, hadrons decay through an interplay of strong and weak processes, quantified in terms of relative phases between the amplitudes. Although previous experiments constructed CP observables that depend on both strong and weak phases, we present an approach where sequential two-body decays of entangled multi-strange baryon-antibaryon pairs provide a separation between these phases. Our method, exploiting spin entanglement between the double-strange Ξ- baryon and its antiparticle2 [Formula: see text], has enabled a direct determination of the weak-phase difference, (ξP - ξS) = (1.2 ± 3.4 ± 0.8) × 10-2 rad. Furthermore, three independent CP observables can be constructed from our measured parameters. The precision in the estimated parameters for a given data sample size is several orders of magnitude greater than achieved with previous methods3. Finally, we provide an independent measurement of the recently debated Λ decay parameter αΛ (refs. 4,5). The [Formula: see text] asymmetry is in agreement with and compatible in precision to the most precise previous measurement4.

POS0194 MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY OF BREAKTHROUGH COVID-19 IN PATIENTS WITH IMMUNE MEDIATED CONDITIONS ON B CELL DEPLETING THERAPIES AND THE EFFECTS OF MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TREATMENT

Background

Among immunocompromised patients with immune mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), those undergoing therapy with B cell depleting agents are among the most vulnerable to both severe COVID-19 disease and sub-optimal response to COVID-19 vaccines(1). Numerous studies have documented suppressed humoral, but relatively maintained cell mediated, responses to COVID-19 vaccines in these patients. However, the clinical significance of such immunity in terms of protection from infection and its sequelae are poorly understood. We have analyzed a large cohort of vaccinated IMIDs patients undergoing B cell depleting therapy for the presence of breakthrough infection and assessed their outcomes.

Objectives:

To define the frequency and outcomes of COVID-19 breakthrough infection in fully or partially vaccinated IMIDs patients receiving B cell depleting therapies.

To assess the characteristics and risk factors for severe outcomes and death.

Methods

All pharmacy records from within a large health care system were electronically searched for patients undergoing B cell depleting therapies with approved monoclonal antibodies in 2020. Records with ICD codes for IMIDs but not malignancies were included; patients must also have had at least one documented COVID-19 vaccine. From this cohort all patients with breakthrough COVID-19 disease from time of 1st vaccination through December 15, 2021 were identified; each record was hand-reviewed to extract clinical data including vaccine history, demographics, comorbidities, use of monoclonal antibodies, dose and timing of B cell depleting therapy, and outcomes as assessed by an 8 point NIH ordinal scale. Univariate and multivariable logistic/proportional-odds regression models were used to examine the risk factors for severe outcomes.

Results

A total of 1677 IMIDs patients were identified who received any B cell depleting monoclonal antibody and at least one COVID-19 vaccine in 2021. From this cohort 74 patients (4.4%) experienced a breakthrough COVID-19 infection. Among the breakthrough patients 34 (46%) had a rheumatic disease (RA 11, AAV 15, SLE 2), 34 (46%) had CNS inflammatory disease (MS 32, 2 other), and 6 (8%) had immune hematologic/miscellaneous diseases. Four patients had a previous history of COVID-19 infection. Overall 24 (35%) were hospitalized with 11 patients requiring critical level care (15%) and 6 deaths (8 %). All fatal cases had rheumatic diseases. Monoclonal antibodies were given as outpatient therapy to 21 patients and among these only 1 patient was hospitalized without requiring O2 and none died. In univariate analysis only number of comorbidities had a significant positive effect (p=.001) on severe outcomes (i.e. groups 1-4 vs. groups 5-8: Table 1) while monoclonal antibody therapy was associated with more favorable outcomes (p=.005 group 1-2 vs.3-8, Table 1). There were no associations between the dose, duration or timing of the B cell therapy, concomitant therapies including glucocorticoids, vaccine status (incomplete, complete, boosted) or date of vaccination with severe outcomes.

Conclusion

In IMIDs patients treated with B cell depleting therapies breakthrough infections are common with many experiencing severe outcomes. Concomitant comorbidities were associated with risk of severe disease. Monoclonal antibody therapy was used in only 28% but was associated with enhanced clinical outcomes with only 1 in 21 requiring hospitalization and zero mortality. This population of immunocompromised patients remains vulnerable to COVID-19 disease despite vaccination. More aggressive use of outpatient management with monoclonal antibody therapy and other preventive and therapeutic measures are urgently needed.

Reference

[1]Samuel Bitoun et al Rituximab impairs B-cell response but not T-cell response to COVID-19 vaccine in auto-immune diseases First published: 28 December 2021 Arthritis and Rheumatology https://doi.org/10.1002/art.42058

Disclosure of Interests

cassandra calabrese Speakers bureau: Sanofi-regeneron, Consultant of: Sanofi-regeneron, Elizabeth Kirchner Consultant of: Janssen, M Elaine Husni Consultant of: Abbvie, BMS, Novartis, Lilly, Pfizer, UCB, Regeneron, Janssen, Brandon Moss Consultant of: Biogen advisory board, Grant/research support from: Genentech/Roche and Novartis as part of investigator-initiated studies, Anthony Fernandez Consultant of: Consulting: AbbVie, Novartis, Mallinckrodt, UCB, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, Alexion, Grant/research support from: Research: AbbVie, Novartis, Pfizer, Corbus, Mallinckrodt, Yuxuan Jin: None declared, Leonard Calabrese Speakers bureau: Sanofi, Janssen, AbbVie, ChemoCentryx, GSK, AstraZeneca, Consultant of: Sanofi, Jansen, AbbVie, ChemoCentryx, GSK, AstraZeneca, BMS, Genentech

Discordantly high HbA1c may assist in diagnosing α-thalassemia but not diabetes: A case report

Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is an important method for monitoring blood glucose and diagnosing diabetes. High‐performance liquid chromatography is more commonly used in the laboratory for the detection of HbA1c. Although HbA1c detected by high‐performance liquid chromatography is susceptible to abnormal hemoglobin, there are few reports that it is affected by α‐thalassemia. Previous reports have generally concluded that α‐thalassemia does not affect or lower HbA1c. Here, we report a case of discordantly high HbA1c inconsistent with fasting blood glucose. Finally, the patient was diagnosed with α‐thalassemia and insulin resistance. α‐Thalassemia might lead to a discordantly high HbA1c result, which could be attributed to elevated hemoglobin H. In this case, glycated albumin might accurately reflect the real average level of blood glucose. When finding discordant HbA1c, patients should be advised to undergo thalassemia and hemoglobinopathy screening by diabetologists/endocrinologists or primary care physicians to avoid a missed diagnosis of hematopathy.

Ebola virus VP35 hijacks the PKA-CREB1 pathway for replication and pathogenesis by AKIP1 association

Ebola virus (EBOV), one of the deadliest viruses, is the cause of fatal Ebola virus disease (EVD). The underlying mechanism of viral replication and EBOV-related hemorrhage is not fully understood. Here, we show that EBOV VP35, a cofactor of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, binds human A kinase interacting protein (AKIP1), which consequently activates protein kinase A (PKA) and the PKA-downstream transcription factor CREB1. During EBOV infection, CREB1 is recruited into EBOV ribonucleoprotein complexes in viral inclusion bodies (VIBs) and employed for viral replication. AKIP1 depletion or PKA-CREB1 inhibition dramatically impairs EBOV replication. Meanwhile, the transcription of several coagulation-related genes, including THBD and SERPINB2, is substantially upregulated by VP35-dependent CREB1 activation, which may contribute to EBOV-related hemorrhage. The finding that EBOV VP35 hijacks the host PKA-CREB1 signal axis for viral replication and pathogenesis provides novel potential therapeutic approaches against EVD.

Ebola virus virion protein 35 (VP35) is a cofactor of the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, required for viral assembly and IFN antagonist. Here, Zhu et al. provide evidence that EBOV VP35 induces an AKIP1-mediated (human A kinase interacting protein) activation of the PKA-CREB1 signaling pathway and contributes to viral replication and pathogenesis in vitro and in vivo.

Observation of the Singly Cabibbo Suppressed Decay Λ_{c}^{+}→nπ^{+}

The singly Cabibbo-suppressed decay Λ_{c}^{+}→nπ^{+} is observed for the first time with a statistical significance of 7.3σ by using 3.9  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collision data collected at center-of-mass energies between 4.612 and 4.699 GeV with the BESIII detector at BEPCII. The branching fraction of Λ_{c}^{+}→nπ^{+} is measured to be (6.6±1.2_{stat}±0.4_{syst})×10^{-4}. By taking the upper limit of branching fractions of Λ_{c}^{+}→pπ^{0} from the Belle experiment, the ratio of branching fractions between Λ_{c}^{+}→nπ^{+} and Λ_{c}^{+}→pπ^{0} is calculated to be larger than 7.2 at the 90% confidence level, which disagrees with most predictions of the available phenomenological models. In addition, the branching fractions of the Cabibbo-favored decays Λ_{c}^{+}→Λπ^{+} and Λ_{c}^{+}→Σ^{0}π^{+} are measured to be (1.31±0.08_{stat}±0.05_{syst})×10^{-2} and (1.22±0.08_{stat}±0.07_{syst})×10^{-2}, respectively, which are consistent with previous results.

Measurement of Two-Particle Correlations of Hadrons in e^{+}e^{-} Collisions at Belle

The measurement of two-particle angular correlation functions in high-multiplicity e^{+}e^{-} collisions at sqrt[s]=10.52  GeV is reported. In this study, the 89.5  fb^{-1} of hadronic e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data collected by the Belle detector at KEKB are used. Two-particle angular correlation functions are measured in the full relative azimuthal angle (Δϕ) and three units of pseudorapidity (Δη), defined by either the electron beam axis or the event-shape thrust axis, and are studied as a function of charged-particle multiplicity. The measurement in the thrust axis analysis, with mostly outgoing quark pairs determining the reference axis, is sensitive to the region of additional soft gluon emissions. No significant anisotropic collective behavior is observed with either coordinate analyses. Near-side jet correlations appear to be absent in the thrust axis analysis. The measurements are compared to predictions from various event generators and are expected to provide new constraints to the phenomenological models in the low-energy regime.

[Effects of NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis on olfaction dysfunction in allergic rhinitis]

Objective: To explore the relationship between NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis and olfactory dysfunction (OD) in allergic rhinitis (AR), and to evaluate the therapeutic potential of CY-09, a selective NLRP3 inhibitor for OD. Methods: An AR mouse model was established with ovalbumin, and the olfactory function of AR mice was detected by the buried food pellet test. Mice with OD were intraperitoneally injected with CY-09 or saline. The activation of microglia and astrocytes in olfactory bulb was detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression level of pyroptosis associated protein was detected by Western blot. The level of pyroptosis associated proinflammatory factor mRNA was determined by real-time PCR. SPSS 24.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: After the test, ovalbumin successfully established AR mice model, in which 52.5% (21/40) of them showed OD. The number of activated microglia and astroglia in olfactory bulb tissue in OD group were more than those in non-OD group (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression of NLRP3, caspase-1 and gasdermin D (GSDMD) was significantly increased in the olfactory bulb of the OD group (all P<0.05). CY-09 could significantly reduce the level of NLRP3, caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β and IL-18 expression, and inhibite the activation of microglia and astrocytes in the olfactory bulb tissues (all P<0.05). Conclusion: NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis is closely related to the OD associated with AR. CY-09 could improve the olfactory function in AR mice, which may be related to blocking the NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis.

c-Abl kinase-mediated phosphorylation of γ-tubulin promotes γ-tubulin ring complexes assembly and microtubule nucleation

Cytoskeletal microtubules (MTs) are nucleated from γ-tubulin ring complexes (γTuRCs) located at MT organizing centers (MTOCs), such as the centrosome. However, the exact regulatory mechanism of γTuRC assembly is not fully understood. Here, we showed that the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase c-Abl was associated with and phosphorylated γ-tubulin, the essential component of the γTuRC, mainly on the Y443 residue by in vivo (immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation) or in vitro (surface plasmon resonance) detection. We further demonstrated that phosphorylation deficiency significantly impaired γTuRC assembly, centrosome construction, and MT nucleation. c-Abl/Arg deletion and γ-tubulin Y443F mutation resulted in an abnormal morphology and compromised spindle function during mitosis, eventually causing uneven chromosome segregation. Our findings reveal that γTuRC assembly and nucleation function are regulated by Abl kinase-mediated γ-tubulin phosphorylation, revealing a fundamental mechanism that contributes to the maintenance of MT function.

CRPMKB: a knowledge base of cancer risk prediction models for systematic comparison and personalized applications

MOTIVATION

In the era of big data and precision medicine, accurate risk assessment is a prerequisite for the implementation of risk screening and preventive treatment. A large number of studies have focused on the risk of cancer, and related risk prediction models have been constructed, but there is a lack of effective resource integration for systematic comparison and personalized applications. Therefore, the establishment and analysis of the cancer risk prediction model knowledge base (CRPMKB) is of great significance.

RESULTS

The current knowledge base contains 802 model data. The model comparison indicates that the accuracy of cancer risk prediction was greatly affected by regional differences, cancer types and model types. We divided the model variables into four categories: environment, behavioral lifestyle, biological genetics and clinical examination, and found that there are differences in the distribution of various variables among different cancer types. Taking 50 genes involved in the lung cancer risk prediction models as an example to perform pathway enrichment analyses and the results showed that these genes were significantly enriched in p53 Signaling and Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Signaling pathways which are associated with cancer and specific diseases. In addition, we verified the biological significance of overlapping lung cancer genes via STRING database. CRPMKB was established to provide researchers an online tool for the future personalized model application and developing. This study of CRPMKB suggests that developing more targeted models based on specific demographic characteristics and cancer types will further improve the accuracy of cancer risk model predictions.

AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION

CRPMKB is freely available at http://www.sysbio.org.cn/CRPMKB/. The data underlying this article are available in the article and in its online supplementary material.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.